Dandenong Star Journal - 27th May 2019

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Monday, 27 May, 2019

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CAR SALE BONANZA

End of Financial Year Sales offer exceptional value on new vehicles.

The annual EOFY sales means there are bargains galore waiting to be driven away.

Use this special Star News wrap as a guide to the best local deals.

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FOCUS ON … EOFY CAR SALES

Marque of awards Mercedes-Benz Berwick is dedicated to providing customers with the highest level of service, from vehicle purchase through to after sales care.

Last year Mercedes-Benz Berwick was awarded the title Metropolitan Dealer of the Year. It was the fifth time in six years the dealership had won the metro title.

The award recognises dedication and excellence, which have been hallmarks of the Mercedes-Benz brand for over 130 years.

The Berwick dealership is family owned

and operated.

The dealership has a large stockholding of the latest models of passenger cars, vans and utes. Sales staff can visit customers at home or at their office.

The service department is open 6 days a week, including Saturdays between 8.30am12pm.

Mercedes-Benz Berwick is a certified Express Service Centre and also offers Capped Price Servicing across the Mercedes-Benz range to give customers transparency and

peace of mind.

With over 35 loan vehicles available, customers are invited to experience the difference. Extended test drives are available.

Contact Craig Howard and his award winning team today to see why Mercedes-Benz Berwick was awarded Metropolitan Retailer of the Year.

The dealership is at 518 Princes Highway, Berwick. Phone 8794 0900.

Customers are invited to experience the difference at Mercedes-Benz Berwick. 193905

Safe motoring checklist will help keep you on the road You car is your best friend on a big trip. RACV has plenty of ways to ensure it's ready for the road.

Just because you've packed the car with maps, luggage and your favourite music, doesn't mean you're totally ready for the big road-trip. Have you checked the condition of the car?

Take good care of it with some basic but essential maintenance before you leave your driveway for your open-road odyssey.

Get a grip Are your tyres in good shape? The tread on the tyres is designed to clear water from the contact area with the road and a minimum groove depth of 1.5mm is vital. If it's any less, or if you find bald patches (rendering the tyre unroadworthy) or uneven wear, you must replace them.

Before you leave, check your tyre pressures when they are cold as tyres that have been warmed up by running for more than a few kilometres will give misleading pressure readings.

Remember to check and clean the inside and outside of your windscreen before your next big road trip. 193907 Minimum pressures are usually found on a placard on the driver's door jamb or the glovebox lid.

Service station tyre gauges get knocked about a bit so they're not always reliable. When

you're talking about something as important as your tyres, it's worth investing a few dollars in a good gauge.

And don't forget you have five tyres, not four - give the spare the same attention. And if your spare is a space-saver, be aware of its speed and distance restrictions.

Light it up Headlights are ineffectual if they have blown globes, aren't aligned properly or even if the outer shield is dirty or covered in bugs. Check all lights are working, and ask for the headlight aim to be checked when you have the car serviced.

Braking point Just because your car was serviced recently doesn't mean your brakes are in good shape not all services include a brake check. If you've noticed even the slightest deterioration in braking performance or anything unusual (be it an unusual sound or an unusual sensation as you engage the brakes), get them checked by an expert immediately.

Batteries are included The average car battery only lasts around 3½ years - and possibly less if you usually take short trips in stop/start traffic. If your battery is 'getting on' or if you've had difficulty starting the car, get your battery checked by expert technicians before you set off.

RACV Batteries' mobile specialists will check your battery's health. And if it needs replacing, then they can ensure that you get the right type of battery for your car on the spot.

Your window to the world Don't just give your windscreen a quick wipe before you leave - thoroughly clean it inside and out.

If you spot any chips or cracks, they're just the beginning of a bigger problem, so get them seen to.

Also ensure your wiper blades are properly fitted and in good condition. The rubber should be pliable, and the wipers should hug the windscreen closely as they wipe, leaving no streaks or untouched patches.

Maximise your return. $0 GST & $0 Luxury Car Tax on Demonstrators before June 29.

To help maximise your return, Mercedes-Benz Berwick has over 150 Demonstrator vehicles that offer unprecedented purchasing opportunities.

Purchase and take delivery of 1 of 150 Demonstrator vehicles between May 27th – June 29th to receive:

All available for delivery before June 29, you’ll be spoilt for choice with our extensive stockholding. Our passionate and experienced team guarantee to make it worth your while.

•

A guaranteed minimum of $0 GST* • A guaranteed minimum of $0 Luxury Car Tax+ • 5 years complimentary scheduled servicing ^

Excludes A-Class Sedan & all new B-Class. Offer exclusive to Mercedes-Benz Berwick and valid for showroom demonstrator vehicles purchased and delivered between 27th May 2019 – 29th June 2019. *GST saving is equal to the GST amount of the manufacturer’s recommended list price, up to the depreciation limit of $57,581. +LCT Savings are equal to the manufacturer’s recommended list price. GST & LCT are still included in the final reduced drive away price. Available only on 150 eligible showroom demonstrator vehicles. Not in conjunction with any other offer. ^Scheduled servicing up to 5 years or the relevant mileage-based servicing interval applicable to your model, whichever occurs first. Please refer to the Owner’s Manual to confirm the service interval for your vehicle.

Must be redeemed at Mercedes-Benz Berwick. MCK93779

Mercedes-Benz Berwick 518 Princes Highway, Berwick. Ph: 03 8794 0900. www.mbberwick.com.au

LMCT578 12419270-CG23-19

2W STAR JOURNAL

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Monday, 27 May, 2019

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STEM camp champs

Art from the heart

Dandy’s own superstar

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Voice for the forgotten

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Solar firm burnt

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

Samuel Kent's domestic solar sales faded to black after the rebate freeze. 193916 tions in the system and working with industry to complete the outstanding installations.”

It recently announced Stan Krpan new chief executive of Solar Victoria to oversee the resumption of the Solar Homes rebate.

Mr Krpan told The Age that the $1.3 billion scheme would be designed so that the rollout wasn’t “swamped” with orders, and that the

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agency would crack-down on shonky operators.

Solar Energy Installers Association Victoria chairperson Philip Smith said the industry had been blighted by stop-and-start rebates for 30 years.

“Either support a rebate program continuously or have no rebate at all - just make it

stable.”

Opposition energy and renewables spokesperson Ryan Smith said the Government had “bungled” the scheme.

“What solar installers need now is certainty around the Solar Homes package, not more unclear and indecisive policy on the run from the Andrews Government.”

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A freeze on the State Government’s Solar Homes rebate program has left installers like Sky Energy in Keysborough in the cold.

Sky Energy director Samuel Kent said he lost all of his residential contracts “overnight” when the Government put a temporary stop to the scheme in late April.

Facing a dearth of business until the rebates resume on 1 July, the company has been forced to laid off 25 of its 40 full-time staff, Mr Kent said.

“We were on track to turn over $10 million this year.

“I can’t thank my team enough for all that they have done and it breaks my heart to have to let them go.”

Mr Kent said reputable installers were better off without the “boom-bust cycle” of an onagain, off-again rebate scheme.

“Dan Andrews said these rebates were designed to create jobs in Victoria and weed out dodgy solar companies.

“Instead they have achieved the exact opposite.

“Almost all our competitors use sub-contractors who they will dismiss until the rebate comes back in the future.”

As a result, the company was now focusing on commercial sales in Victoria instead. It was looking interstate for home installations.

The Solar Homes rebates for the 2018-19 financial year were frozen because it was fully subscribed, the State Government argues.

It had committed 24,000 rebates up to 1 July, which extended to more than 30,000 due to the scheme’s popularity.

The $1.3 billion scheme aims to install up to 770,000 solar systems on homes in the next 10 years.

A Government spokesperson said the program drove down power bills and created a “huge pipeline of work” for the industry.

It was being rolled out over “10 years, not 10 minutes” to ensure the “highest quality and safety standards in the country”.

“We’re now processing existing applica-

NEWS

Dandy’s dangerous goods

By Cam Lucadou-Wells A political war-of-words has erupted over claims of a “hot spot” of illegally stored dangerous goods around Dandenong.

State opposition workplace safety spokesperson Nick Wakeling made the claim - seizing on comments at a Parliamentary inquiry on 13 May. “This latest revelation shows that the health and wellbeing of families in Melbourne’s south-east is being placed at risk due to the inaction of the Andrews Labor Government,” Mr Wakeling said.

“All Victorians should be concerned that when it comes to dangerous waste storage we know that tens of millions of litres of flammable material is being stored illegally and that this is just the tip of the iceberg.”

A Government spokesperson said the Opposition “blatantly put words in WorkSafe Victoria’s mouth”.

“And in the process implied local business-

es who do the right thing and store dangerous goods correctly are actually breaking the law.

“The management of dangerous chemicals is taken extremely seriously and facilities in Dandenong are subject to the same strict regulations as other sites across the state.”

The Government was reviewing laws with a view of ensuring “tough penalties” on offenders, the spokesperson said.

WorkSafe told Star News that illegal flammable stockpiles such as those uncovered in Melbourne’s north this year have not been found in Dandenong.

It had conducted 253 dangerous goodsrelated inspections in Greater Dandenong, Casey and Frankston council areas since 1 July.

Fifty-seven compliance notices were issued in the region.

At the Parliament hearing, WorkSafe stated there were about 3000 sites of “notifiable dangerous goods” in Victoria, most prevalently in Melbourne’s north, west and Dandenong.

WorkSafe business operations chief Marnie Williams said the authority worked with fire agencies and the Environment Protection Authority to do 2000 inspections on possible illegally stored dangerous goods between July 2018-March 2019.

It had issued 497 notices as a result.

“It is just important to delineate for the committee that these are just dangerous goods sites, not necessarily dangerous goods waste sites; it will be a mix of both,” Ms Williams said.

WorkSafe’s hazardous industries head Michael Coffey added that most of the focus was currently on the northern suburbs.

Public concern have risen with a spate of noxious, intense fires linked to toxic chemical dumps in Melbourne’s north and west.

In April, WorkSafe had seized control of four warehouses illegally stockpiled with up to 11 million toxic flammable chemicals in Craigeburn and Campbellfield.

The stores were linked to the operator of

a Campbellfield factory, where a toxic fire burned for days and had injured a worker.

Another massive illicit chemical dump was found in a warehouse in Epping in January.

In the past five years, WorkSafe has been notified of 468 dangerous goods sites, including petrol servos and retail outlets, in Greater Dandenong, Casey and Frankston.

This doesn’t include licensed major hazards facilities, which are subject to strict regulatory oversight.

“WorkSafe conducts inspections to ensure dangerous goods such as flammable chemicals are being correctly stored and handled across Victoria, including in the Dandenong area,” a spokesperson told Star News.

“Anyone who fails to notify WorkSafe that they are storing dangerous goods can face fines and potentially jail.”

Any illegally stored dangerous goods can be reported to the Worksafe Advisory Line on 1800 136 089.

Wellsprings leading the way equally

Gabrielle Williams and Roz Blades with Yarraman Oaks Kindergarten pupils.

All-new kinder opened in Noble Park A $1.25 million all-new kindergarten and maternal and child health hub has officially opened in Noble Park.

Yarraman Oaks Kindergarten includes a double-unit kindergarten providing 66 extra licensed places for three-and-four-year-olds.

There is also a community meeting space for playgroups and parenting programs.

Two consulting suites for maternal and

A burger of many layers

child health and allied health services are provided.

Dandenong MP Gabrielle Williams and Greater Dandenong mayor Roz Blades officially opened the kindergarten on Wednesday 22 May. Ms Williams said it was part of the Government’s aim for all Victorian families to have access to a “great local kinder, close to home”.

“This new Yarraman Oaks Kindergarten will give Noble Park kids the support they need from an early age.”

The State Government provided a $650,000 grant towards the Greater Dandenong Council project.

The Government says it has committed $1.6 billion to building nearly 785 new kindergartens in the next decade.

Wellsprings for Women has been selected as a finalist for Neighbourhood Houses Victoria’s inaugural gender equity award.

Its Dandenong-based women’s health and safety program was recognised for its education, awareness raising and dialogue on gender equity, respectful relationships and preventing violence against women.

More than 380 women from migrant and refugee backgrounds had taken part in the past 18 months.

Many of them had limited English and little prior education.

“It was quite challenging for us to develop and run the sessions as there were no resources or tools to use that were tailored to women from culturally diverse backgrounds,” Wellsprings chief executive Dalal Smiley said.

“We found ways to get the message across and relied heavily on dialogue and using images, we could find on internet to illustrate some complex concepts.”

Ms Smiley said existing gender-equity resources did not resonate with many migrant and refugee women.

“The issue is viewed with western culture lens that does not include culturally diverse women and their experiences.

“It is interesting to note that while in English we differentiate between sex and gender, there is no differentiation between the two in other languages.”

Gender equity underpinned “everything we do” at the women-only organization, Ms Smiley said.

The program is funded by the Department of Social Services.

The award is named after Fiona Richardson, the late Women and Prevention of Family Violence Minister.

Market looks literally like a tall order.

Coinciding with National Burger Day on 28 May, burger house The Grill has constructed a multi-storey morsel that is both wondrous and intimidating.

Dubbed ‘The Chompster’, it comprises of eight beef patties, eight chedder slices, five layers of bun, four rashers of crispy bacon, three sauces, two serves of caramelised onions and sliced pickles.

Wow - perhaps consider sharing it with a friend or two.

Max contemplates the leaning tower of The Chompster. 193547 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS 2 STAR JOURNAL

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Monday, 27 May, 2019

Participants in the nominated women’’s health program at Wellsprings. 193673 Picture: GARY SISSONS dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

NEWS

IN BRIEF Phillip Marr wanted on warrant

Sandown rezoning, but no plans yet

By Cam Lucadou-Wells Sandown racecourse’s owner has announced that it will seek to rezone the iconic venue, but insisting there are no firm plans for redevelopment.

In a statement, Melboune Racing Club announced it was seeking to rezone its freehold land at Caulfield and Sandown racecourses from Special Use to Comprehensive Development zones.

For Caulfield, there was a declared $300 million “vision” for a “world-class racing experience”.

But according to the club, it was still just business as usual at Sandown.

The drawcard venue currently hosts 35 horse track meets a year, Supercars racing and a variety of festivals and community events.

MRC racing and membership executive director Jake Norton said the rezoning applica-

tion had “no bearing” on Sandown racing activities for the “foreseeable future”.

“All current activities at Sandown, including use of the car racing track, remain as is.

“If the MRC wish to make any changes to usage at Sandown, it would require consultation with the State Government, Racing Victoria and ultimately support from the MRC membership.”

For the future beyond, the site could be either partially or fully developed. Mr Norton didn’t rule out racing remaining in the mix.

“I wouldn’t want to guess what the future use of the land will be.”

According to Victorian Planning Authority material, the racecourse is part of a planned Sandown Park Station Precinct of residential, commercial, retail and community uses.

The venue is subject to a masterplan in collaboration of the MRC, VPA and Greater Dandenong Council, the VPA 2017 report states.

Last year, Star News reported the MRC had presented concept plans and technical information for the “future opportunity” to the council.

MRC member and former Greater Dandenong mayor Peter Brown said at the time that the concept included a mix of high-rise apartments, town houses, homes, a medical centre and shops.

Mr Norton declined to comment on the detail of the concepts.

Speculation had been rife after Sandown was conspicuously overlooked as the new home of Caulfield’s training stables last October.

Mr Norton said the re-location to Cranbourne and Pakenham was directed by the State Government and Racing Victoria.

In those circumstances, it was “illogical and uneconomic” to establish a training centre at Sandown.

Providing a voice for the ‘forgotten’

A man has been robbed of his phone and cash by two males in central Noble Park.

The 26-year-old Noble Park victim was out walking on Douglas Street, about 10 metres from an underpass near Shepreth Avenue about 11pm on Tuesday 14 May. He was approached by two males from a group of five. One of them, described as Caucasian, grabbed the victim’s arms, pulling his hands behind his back.

The other, described as African and wearing a face mask that covered his mouth, demanded the victim’s phone.

He searched the victim’s jacket pockets and removed his phone and cash.

The offenders joined three males waiting nearby and ran along Shepreth Avenue.

The victim suffered no physical injuries.

Any information to Greater Dandenong CIU on 9767 7487 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au

Its support workers’ happiness is just as important as its clients’, Jeff says.

The firm is also working towards earning the LGBTIQ Rainbow Tick - the first disability service provider to do so.

Give A Care general manager Cristina Karvonidis describes the agile enterprise as “light years ahead”.

“I come from a corporate background. This is the most glamorous job I’ve ever had because I’m grateful for Jeff to let me focus on looking after people and our own employees.

Soon his non-profit Give A Care Foundation will be launched, tackling the social isolation commonly suffered by people with disabilities.

It will provide outings, laughs and fun for children and the “forgotten“ adults who aren’t able to go out in the community.

It also offers corporate partners and sponsors a chance to volunteer and make a difference. Details: giveacare.com.au

Noble Park is one of a host of suburbs linked to a cluster of measles cases in Melbourne.

As of 22 May, six people had contracted the disease from an overseas visitor at two family events in Melbourne.

The five adults and a child had “community contact” while infectious but before displaying symptoms in Noble Park and several other suburbs.

Victoria’s acting Chief Health Officer Dr Angie Bone said anyone in these locations from early May should watch for measles symptoms.

It is the biggest linked cluster of measles in Victoria since nine people came down with measles in an outbreak linked to Melbourne Airport in March 2018.

This year, 22 diagnosed cases have been identified in Victoria.

The highly-infectious disease can cause serious illness. Very young children and adults with weakened immune systems are particularly at risk.

The early symptoms are like a common cold - runny nose, red eyes and a cough, followed by a fever and rash.

“The characteristic measles rash usually begins 3-7 days after the first symptoms, generally starting on the face and then spreading to the rest of the body,” Dr Bone said.

“Anyone developing symptoms is advised to ring ahead to their general practitioner or hospital first and tell them that they may have measles so that appropriate steps can be taken to avoid contact with other patients.”

Dr Bone said immunisation was the best protection.

A free Measles, Mumps, Rubella vaccine is available.

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If you are opposed to this name, you can submit a written objection to Council via:

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ALL NEW TIMBER

•฀Email:฀communityconsultation@cgd.vic.gov.au 12419123-DJ23-19

18 HAzELwOOd RIdgE HAzELwOOd NORTH

At the Council Meeting of Tuesday 23 April 2019, Council voted on the following proposed name for the new Pavilion at Booth Reserve in Dandenong: Greater Dandenong Baseball Pavilion

9708 5055 0411 515 158 11 Windale St, Dandenong Mel Ref: 90 G10

Monday, 27 May, 2019

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12350250-RC18-17

SEJ

Cristina Karvonidis and Jeff Shaw are spreading Give A Care into the South East. 193881 Picture: CAM LUCADOU-WELLS rush to replace over the past six months.

Another frustrated resident lived in “squalor” at her facility – “you wouldn’t put a dog in there”, Jeff said.

“We’re taught to think that they’re helping these poor people. But clearly they’re taking the money and not helping them.

“It’s like taking candy from a baby, and it’s wrong.”

Eventually – and literally - Jeff recovered his voice.

In 2013, using an inheritance from his late father, Jeff created Give A Care to give himself real choice over his support.

It has since branched out to serve other people with a disability, who can choose their own workers online.

Give A Care is now reaching out to Melbourne’s South East to join 400 clients and 150 staff on its books. It pays above award-wage to its Certificate-III and IV qualified workforce.

Noble Park man mugged

Measles cluster alert

By Cam Lucadou-Wells Long ignored, belittled and ostracised by his disability service providers, Jeff Shaw didn’t give up.

Inspiringly, Jeff decided to create his own provider Give A Care – because he struggled to find one that cared.

“If I didn’t do anything, who would?”

In 2007, the 38-year-old single dad and plasterer was floored by a major stroke. It was an event that could derail anyone – but Jeff is not anyone.

Jeff’s brain’s cerebellum was damaged, impairing his balance and speech. Until recent years, he was restricted to communicating with a white board.

None of his support providers listened to what he wanted, nor seemed to care, Jeff said.

“It gets hard when you have to speak on a whiteboard.

“You can’t get in arguments or debates. You can’t use the phone at all.”

For 11 months, Jeff lived in an aged care facility in the Yarra Valley, unable to contact his seven-year-old son nor have contact with people of his own age.

Jeff had also lost control of his finances, and when he could wash, eat or go out.

During a department review of his provide, Jeff discovered he was funded for 34 hours a week of support. Just three hours a week was supplied.

There’s stories that show others being treated with contempt, and without a voice to speak up.

A friend has been saddled in a borrowed wheelchair, which the provider has been in no

Police are appealing for help to find an accused aggravated burglar wanted on warrant.

Phillip Marr, also known as Phillip Dawson, failed to appear at court to face the charges, police say.

The 22-year-old is described as about 175 centimetres, medium build, brown eyes and brown hair.

He’s allegedly known to frequent Callam, Dandenong, Pakenham and surrounding areas.

Any information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au

STAR JOURNAL 3

NEWS

ATO blitz on small business in Dandy Up to 700 small businesses in Dandenong are expected to be targeted as part of an Australian Taxation Office crackdown on the black economy.

Dandenong and Richmond businesses were being visited due to having "identified indicators of risk", ATO assistant commissioner Peter Holt said.

"We're particularly concerned about businesses in these locations who are not registered for pay as you go (PAYG) withholding or GST." Of particular focus were building, pest control and gardening services, transport support services, automotive repair and maintenance, and postal and courier pick-up and deliveries.

Mr Holt said the community raised concerns about misrepresenting sales, not reporting income from online transactions and poor record-keeping.

"Businesses who pay cash-in-hand, don't pay the proper super or fail to lodge income tax or business activity statements get an unfair advantage.

"By detecting and addressing this behaviour, we're helping to ensure a level playing field for honest small businesses in Victoria."

The ATO will also visit tax practitioners of small businesses as part of an "early-intervention strategy".

The Australian black economy costs the

community as much as $50 billion - about 3 per cent of the nation's gross domestic product, Mr Holt said.

One-hour information sessions will be held at Punthill Apartment Hotel, 157-163 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong on Thursday 6 June, 9.30am, 2.30pm and 5.30pm.

To register, go to ato.gov.au/protectinghonestbusiness.

A 'Single Touch Payroll: Introduction' session will also be held from 11am-12.50pm.

To report suspicious activity, go to ato.gov. au/reportaconcern or call 1800 060 062.

Mayor keeps up the fight for asylum

By Cam Lucadou-Wells Greater Dandenong mayor Roz Blades has vowed to continue the fight for hundreds of asylum seekers in Greater Dandenong without income.

The council has led a multi-council campaign on behalf of asylum seekers cut from the Status Resolution Support Services (SRSS) program. But it hit a major bump due to the 18 May federal election outcome.

Cr Blades said the council had lobbied the Liberals, Labor and the Greens in the election lead-up.

Only the ultimately unsuccessful ALP had pledged to reverse the stripping of the $35-aday SRSS payments.

"We're refocusing and repurposing (our

campaign) but we're not giving up," Cr Blades said. "(The SRSS) is not set up like an unemployment benefit.

"What we haven't been able to get across is we've got people with zilch, no money - hungry families who have got nothing."

According to the council, at least 148 asylum seekers in Greater Dandenong have been made effectively destitute after being cut from the SRSS. Another 350 further recipients were also facing the possible loss of their payments.

Those in the firing line are believed to include families with children under 6 years old.

Cr Blades said she hoped to meet in Canberra with the Government's Home Affairs

Minister in June.

"We're able to now put these statistics to the Government.

"And we can say if you're not going to fund the SRSSS you're going to have to give us the funds to look after the people affected by it.

"I think people have a heart. When it comes to kids, you've got to have a heart."

The Government's line has been that the SRSS is "not a social welfare program".

"It is designed to provide short-term, tailored support to those who have demonstrated barriers to resolving their immigration status.

"Individuals on a bridging visa with work rights, and who have the capacity to work, are expected to support themselves while their immigration status is being resolved."

Wicki Vickiramasingham will host a Refugee Week radio special on 16 June.

Refugee show on air Greater Dandenong's citizen of the year is heading a special radio broadcast coinciding with Refugee Week.

Wicki Vikramasingham, an indefatigable advocate for the cause, will speak on 3MDR 97.1FM with several asylum seekers on their journeys by boat, their stay in detention centre custody and lives rebuilt in Australia.

They will be joined by advocates and lawyers such as David Manne about their human rights crusade.

It was a chance to spread awareness on refugee issues, Mr Vikramasingham said.

"We're appealing to the Government as well as community organisations to voice for the refugees' freedom from detention centres."

He says refugees could help revitalise Australia's regional areas.

"The refugees who are living here are contributing in so many ways. There are engineers, doctors and all sorts of professionals who are useful in this community.

"They are not a burden on this country."

The show is on 97.1FM on Sunday 16 June, 8am-10am. Details: sanganatham.net.au or 3mdr.com.au.

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College charts way to a new course

By Cam Lucadou-Wells A powerful partnership between Hallam Senior College, the community and employers has been forged to provide pathways to employment and study.

From next year, the college will offer VCAL, VCE and VET programs across 17 TAFE-based courses for 700 senior secondary students and adults.

Groups such as Victorian Employers’ Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VECCI), the Housing Industry Association (HIA), Chisholm Institute, Federation University and Doveton Neighbourhood House are closely involved.

They will help shape the courses and place students in relevant work experience.

The offered specialist fields will address skills shortages - where job opportunities are most common.

They include allied health, food and hospitality, construction, light automotive, electrical and plumbing, robotics, engineering and biomedical, contemporary music, and new media.

The curriculum will be flexible, responding to student interests and employer needs, Hallam Senior College executive principal Gregory McMahon said.

“We’re re-shaping Hallam to ensure the highest quality outcomes for those seeking a high-quality senior secondary education.”

The concept offers senior secondary programs including VET certificates in the “security” of a structured school environment that 16 and 17-year-olds need, he said.

Their studies will lead them towards the

Lighthouse students Nathaniel Stephens and Ronushi Poobalasingam with principal Avril Howard outside the Zenith Centre. 192903 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

VCE classes reach zenith

Keith Pimblett and Greg McMahon are setting up the innovative Hallam Senior College program.

193915 Picture: CAM LUCADOU-WELLS options of university, TAFE, apprenticeships, traineeships and ongoing work.

As one of just three Year 10-12 colleges in Southern Melbourne, Hallam is the “logical next step” for students graduating from the stunningly successful Doveton College P-9.

Many of Doveton’s students are already steeped in strong training in STEM and performing arts subjects - pathways that will continue at Hallam.

The Hallam project could open its doors

to adult training at night, just as parents enrol in cooking, parenting and English language courses at Doveton.

The college will also have a broad SouthEast regional focus.

Hallam students already hail from a 40-kilometre catchment area as far away as Frankston and Tooradin.

The new curriculum will be open for any students seeking studies in these fields.

A state-of-the-art VCE centre has been unveiled at Lighthouse Christian College in Keysborough.

The two-storey Zenith Centre was the fulfilment of a 20-year vision for top-notch facilities for the college’s senior secondary students, a college spokesperson said.

It’s a far cry from the “ill-equipped portables” that VCE staff and students endured 20 years ago.

“In the early years of the VCE about eight VCE staff and the VCE co-ordinator had been crammed in what was the Bible College office of the Lighthouse church to use as their VCE staffroom and administrative area.”

“The rudimentary facilities and illequipped portables did not deter the class of 1999 from achieving excellent educational outcomes.”

The new centre, opened by Greater Dandenong mayor Roz Blades on 29 April, also marks 30 years of history at Lighthouse Christian College.

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STAR JOURNAL 5

LOOKING BACK 100 years ago 22 May 1919 Appeal against shire valuation fails At the Dandenong Police Court on Monday, Charles Bath appealed against the valuation of his property, at Aspendale, by the council of the Shire of Dandenong. Mr MacPherson, who appeared on behalf of the shire, said that the valuation had been made on the property by the shire valuer, and it was computed on its nett annual valuation. The property was situated at less than a half mile from the Aspendale Railway station, and had a frontage of 66ft, to Point Nepean Road and went right through to the beach. Having a depth of 339ft. It had a five roomed house on it (in good order) and a bungalow. It could be rented easy at 22/6 per week. Mr Bath

Compiled by Dandenong and District Historical Society

stated that his home was not in good order and he could only get 15/- rent during the warm season. The Bench confirmed the assessment, and the complainant was ordered to pay ÂŁ2/11/6 costs.

50 years 22 May 1969 More staff at hospital; accident rise Extra staff will be appointed to Dandenong & District Hospital to cope with a rapid increase in casualty cases. Nursing and medical staff - both resident and honorary had been placed under extra strain especially on weekends The Hospitals and Charities Commission has agreed to the appointment of two additional theatre sisters, three sisters for casualty and out patients, and a male orderly for theatre and X-ray. Mr Mick Tardiff the hospital man-

ager has been asked to keep a "close watch" on the growth of weekend casualty and outpatient cases so that staff from other busy wards should not have to be diverted.

conditions and rates. However Silver Circle was able to offer more hours of service at a cheaper rate.

20 years

26 May 2014 Landowners want to care up the green wedge A bid by Keysborough landowners to carve up their green wedge property for housing development has been rebuffed by a council draft green wedge plan. In the plan, council officers stated that low density housing was not viable in the flood prone Keys Rd precinct area boarded by Hutton Rd, Springvale, Perry and Pillers rds. It found the costs of the required major drainage infrastructure would be "Prohibitive" and there were health and ecological risks from disturbing acid sulphate soils.

24 May 1999 Test case The Federal Court will decide whether Greater Dandenong council acted legally when it sacked 83 home care workers. The test case, due to be heard on June 1 and 2 will also establish if the State Government imposed compulsory competitive tendering, process contravenes provision of the Work Place Relation Act. The legal action follows the council's decision to award a contract for its home care service to a private operator, Silver Circle. The council workers had bid for the work and sought to maintain their current

5 years

Choices of the future A smorgasbord of 47 educators and workplaces gave students a glimpse of their future options at an annual pathways expo at Keysborough College.

The Year 10, 11 and 12 students absorbed information from a large array of tertiary education providers - from universities, TAFEs, private colleges to registered training organisations.

They also heard keynote presentations from representatives in a wide array of industries and public sector services.

Among the diversity of stalls at the 21 May event was Robogals Monash - a group encouraging female engineers - and not-for-profit group Water 2 All.

Year 12 students Kim, Nghiep and Piseth at the Latrobe University stall. 193015

Senior Constable Annette White of Dandenong Police and Year 12 student Annie at the Pathways Expo. 193015 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

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NEWS

COLLEGE DRAWS A WIN Budding artists have plied their pencils for an annual Easter colouring competition held in Greater Dandenong.

Real estate agent Barry Plant Noble Park presented vouchers to the winning school Carwatha College P-12 at an assembly on 21 May. The winning student Deepti was also awarded a voucher.

Students take a robotics class during the Camp Amazon launch in Sydney.

Amazon in camp offer Primary-school students are applying for a rare chance to take part in computer-science camps at Amazon in Dandenong South.

Entries have opened for 100 Sydney and Melbourne students in years 3-6 to take part in the $150,000 Camp Amazon Program.

The wide-ranging two-year program is designed to inspire children in disadvantaged communities to pursue careers in computer science, process engineering, robotics and IT. Led by Amazon and industry leaders in STEM, the workshops will be staged afterschool and in summer holidays at the fulfilment centre in Dandenong South.

"We recognise that the jobs of tomorrow

require a strong aptitude for STEM, we see it in our growing business, and want to be part of the solution," Amazon Australia operations director Craig Fuller said.

After completing the course, each student receives a $500 Amazon voucher to further their studies.

Ten participating schools in Melbourne and Sydney will receive $10,000 of communal-use STEM equipment.

For information, go to https://blog.aboutamazon.com.au/company-news/camp-amazon-helping-australian-students-with-skillsfor-the-future.

Entries close on 31 May 2019.

Winning student Deepti with Chien Le (Barry Plant), Pat Mulcahy (Carwatha College Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS principal) and Tim Stickley (Barry Plant). 193625

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STAR JOURNAL 7

ENTERTAINMENT

BUSINESS PROFILE

Bully horror

By Cam Lucadou-Wells An imaginative exploration of bullying on the autism spectrum (ASD) is close to home for writer-director Jolyon James.

His musical theatre work Robot Song tells the tale of 11-year-old Juniper May who receives a petition from her class that she is "the most hated person in the school".

"When she receives this horrible letter, she believes it," James says. "Once it's in writing, it's something she can't get over."

In a bid to lift a devastated Juniper, her parents create a giant singing robot.

The family show is innovative and shows a hopeful way forward through creativity and unconditional love.

It combines song, laughs, with rare elements such as a cutting-edge animation that interacts with the audience as well as a giant robot.

The premise is based on a true story. It's more documentary than a musical, James says.

As a parent of a son on the spectrum, James was horrified when a friend's child received a similar note from his class of bullies.

He says as a parent, he also found creative ways to find how his son views the world.

"It was when he went to school, his diagnosis became obvious. He became overwhelmed with all the kids - he couldn't cope at all.

"Working together on creative activities with him, I found our conversations were the most real and the most in-depth.

"My son responds creatively more than anything else, really."

The robot was symbolic of how autism is often misunderstood, James says.

"There's a misunderstand that people are not able to feel and lack empathy - but it's the opposite.

"They feel so much, they feel they have to shut down."

Robot Song is studied on the VCE curriculum, gaining fans from teenage classrooms as well as young audiences.

Report any injuries to your doctor immediately.

The value of doctor’s advice

By Catherine Sim, Associate Adviceline Injury Lawyers

Jolyon James finds a creative antidote to schoolyard bullying. 193512 Picture: GARY SISSONS They email James, sharing their stories and revealing a great empathy and protectiveness for Juniper.

"We're more attuned now to bullying's impact.

"When I was a child, we just kind of shut up and put up with it.

"Parents have different expectations, we deal with it differently."

At the end of the show, the bullying doesn't necessarily stop but Juniper's response transforms.

"It gives her a little tool to say I know exactly who I am, and I don't have to hand that over to people who don't know me."

Robot Song is at The Drum theatre, Dandenong on 29 June, 1pm. Bookings: drumtheatre. com.au/robotsong

A key hurdle in any personal injury claim is proving that there is a relationship between an injury and the circumstances of the incident.

This is often due to the length of time it takes for an injury to reveal itself as being more serious than a passing problem. The best place to report an injury is to your doctor.

Having an accurate and comprehensive medical history is one of the strongest tools available to solicitors when preparing a personal injury case. Being upfront about your medical history with your lawyers, treating doctors and medico-legal doctors will ensure you receive accurate medical opinions and legal advice. If legal advice is not based on the full picture, or medical evidence is gathered without considering important pre-existing matters, then the advice and evidence is compromised.

I regularly lodge WorkCover claims on behalf of a number of manual workers who thought their pain would go away on its own, or that they thought it was just normal muscle pain.

Any worker who notices that their injury is developing into a more long standing issue

should speak with their doctor, noting any events they think might be relevant, such as a busy period at work, or certain tasks they have been doing in recent times.

This is particularly important in ‘over the course of employment’ injury claims, where injuries may take weeks or months to develop before they require medical attention.

This highlights the issue of exposure to material such as asbestos or silica dust, which causes diseases that can take decades to develop.

The recent discovery of asbestos in an Essendon Primary School emphasises the need for exposure to asbestos to be reported or recorded in medical records and the National Asbestos Exposure Register or similar. Significant media attention has also been focused on forgotten industrial disease “silicosis”, a potential epidemic which threatens the lives of tradespeople working with silica-based construction materials.

If you are aware you have inadvertently been exposed to asbestos, silica dust or other chemicals or toxins, or work in an environment that exposes you to dust, it is worth speaking with your doctor and recording your exposure early.

WHAT’S ON A Classical Treat Grand inauguration of Ananda Bhairavi, a performance platform as well as an educative forum, enabling art practitioners and art lovers to evolve through celebrating art & culture.

First chapter-A Classical Treat. BharatanatyamSridevi Gopinath. Veena duet-Iyer Brothers.

Saturday 8 June 2019 at 6:00pm at Chandler Community Centre, 28 Isaac Road, Keysborough, VIC 3902. Tickets at https://www. trybooking.com/BCHEW. Contact Kanchana 0432 018 647.

Neuroscience participants needed A local Doctoral student is recruiting participants local to Dandenong/Springvale/Clayton for neuroscience research. The study will look at what happens to memory as we age.

The researcher is looking for older adults who are healthy and between the ages of 65-85.

For more information contact Sian VirtueGriffiths on 0422 294 248.

A local neuroscience researcher is recruiting participants for memory research.

·

· ·

Dinner with a VIEW Dandenong Evening VIEW club will meet on Tuesday, 4 June, for dinner. Guest speaker this month is Adrian Dickens. He will speak about Elizabeth Taylor's greatest love affair - with jewels. VIEW stands for voice, interests and education for women and the Club supports the SMITH Family's Learning for Life Program.

New members and guests are always welcome.

Bookings essential.

Tuesday 4 June 7pm, at Dandenong RSL, 4450 Clow Street. Call 9795 1222.

·

Art of Soul Come along and enjoy the journey of your creativity in a safe environment. Join us as we use a variety of media, follow Aviva Gold's book - Painting from the Source, and welcome some guest artists from time to time. No art experience is necessary, this is not a class, it is people coming together to 'play'.

Wednesdays 11.30-1.30pm (except public/ school holidays) at The Open Door 110 Ann Street, Dandenong. Suggested donation $5.

Contact Trish or Jo for details, 9791 8664 or Theopendoor@ssjg.org.au

·

Winter Gifts for the Soul The winter solstice is when the dark part of the day is longest. It is a time of invitation to enter our own inner world, the seedbed of creativity and change.

Pat Long presents a three week series explor8 STAR JOURNAL

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Monday, 27 May, 2019

·

·

Mondays from 10am at the Andrews Centre, corner Hanna Drive and Heatherton Road .

Endeavour Hills, Wednesdays from 8.15pm at Seminar room 2 at Dandenong Hospital, David Street, Fridays from 10.30am at Springvale Church of Christ, corner Buckingham and Windsor avenues and Saturdays from 2pm at St Gerard's Community Centre, 71 Gladstone Road, Dandenong North.

Details: 1300 252 666 or visit www.al-anon. org.au

Free community lunch A weekly two-course lunch is provided by Hampton Park United Church, with the support of City of Casey. All welcome.

Thursdays, 12noon at 1 Coral Drive Hampton Park. Details: 9799 7994

·

ing this time for personal reflection, sharing with the group and honouring the gifts of darkness, imagination and emerging light.

Tuesdays June 11, 18 and 25, 1.30pm2.30pm at The Open Door, 110 Ann Street, Dandenong. Suggested donation $5. Bookings: Trish or Jo, 9791 8664.

·

Volunteers needed New volunteers are welcome at The Bridge disability service in Cranbourne, Berwick, Narre Warren and Dandenong. They support staff and adult participants in fun activities one day a week or fortnight.

Details: Margaret, 8710 8520 or MCampion@ thebridgeinc.org.au.

·

Potters' Offerings Valley Potters is a ceramic art group that first emerged 40 years ago as the Dandenong Ceramic Group. The group grew out of a TAFE ceramic program and is celebrating 40 years of fraternity and ceramic art.

The exhibition will feature a diverse range of works from 18 member artists with thrown pieces, hand-built sculptures, wall pieces and mixed

media work.

Free event. All welcome.

·

Until Saturday 1 June at Gallery One, Walker Street Gallery and Arts Centre, corner Walker and Robinson streets, Dandenong.

Film-making workshops Are you an aspiring film maker who is keen to learn more about film production?

Be a part of Greater Dandenong Council's inaugural Short Cuts Film Production Program.

The seven-week mentorship course in June and July is designed for young people aged 15 to 25, who live, work or study in the City of Greater Dandenong.

The films created will premiere as part of Shorter Cuts 2019 program in October.

Details: hanann.aldaqqa@cgd.vic.gov.au or 8571 5147.

·

Al-Anon Family Groups.

This group offers help and support to family and friends of problem drinkers. Meetings are weekly at Endeavour Hills, Dandenong, Springvale and Dandenong North.

Playgroup A Friday morning playgroup is held at Hampton Park Uniting Church. Includes morning tea.

Fridays, 9.30am-11.30am (during school terms) at 1 Coral Drive Hampton Park. $3 child, $5 family. Details: 9799 7994

·

Learn to sew Men and women can learn to use a sewing machine to insert zips, cut patterns and how to hem.

Free childcare is available for parents who attend the class.

Springvale Neighbourhood House, 46-50 Queens Avenue, Springvale. Tuesdays during school terms, 12.30pm to 2.30pm. $3 per class. No bookings required. Call 9548 3972 for more information.

·

Check out chess The Dandenong Chess club welcomes players of all ages, from novices to grand masters.

16 Balmoral Avenue, Dandenong. Wednesdays, 7pm. Call Paul on 0406 786 242 for more information.

·

dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

NEWS

Yoge Biju next to her artwork depicting traditional puppets. 193560

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Art of high standing The latest installation of bright street art has graced Dandenong's Indian Precinct.

Artists Sohail Yamin, Yoge Biju, Rashmi Gore and Natasha Narain have festooned the street poles on Foster Street as part of stage 2 of the project on 20 May. They drew inspiration from traditional Indian art and culture.

Yamin's artwork includes a reference to the Basant spring festival in which kites are flown.

As a welcome to visitors, he also represented drum beating with greeting messages in several regional and international languages.

On other poles, Biju depicted traditional puppetry marionettes of Rajasthan - a performance art practised in India for thousands of years.

Meanwhile, indigenous Warli art were the inspiration for Rashmi Gore's intricate geometric patterned work.

Natasha Narain's art depicted dolls adorned in traditional dress and motifs.

The street art program began with three large scale murals on Mason Street, with stage 1 of the Foster Street project unveiled in October 2018.

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Going for goal in the world game

Going for goal in the world game A soccer showcase in Dandenong will kick things up a notch in the race for an A-League team. Gach Chuol, Greater Dandenong Councillor Jim Memeti and Sukart Alex got in some practice ahead of the Saturday 16 June event. See page 7 for the full story. 181655 Picture: GARY SISSONS

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A soccer showcase in Dandenong will kick things up a notch in the race for an A-League team. Gach Chuol, Greater Dandenong Councillor Jim Memeti and Sukart Alex got in some practice ahead of the Saturday 16 June event. See page 7 for the full story. 181655 Picture: GARY SISSONS

His life for others

By Casey Neill

Lee Tarlamis.

Lee Tarlamis says his older brother’s cancer battle inspired him to spend his life helping those less fortunate.

His service culminated in a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List, announced on Monday 11 June.

The Noble Park man and former state Upper House MP received the nod for service to the people and Parliament of Victoria “I’m extremely humbled. It’s not something that I’d expected,” he said.

“I didn’t do it to get acknowledgement.

“It was about wanting to provide assistance and help to people.

“It’s a view that I formed very early on.”

Mr Tarlamis said his brother fought cancer for two years before dying at age 17.

“The trouble and the stress that the family went through, I saw how positive he was

throughout those two years,” he said.

“It instilled in me that as tough as I think I have things, there are always people out there who are doing it a lot worse than me.

“That’s why I got involved in the local community.”

Initially that was through the Keysborough Learning Centre.

“The centre loaned me a computer for me to do my school work,” he said.

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“I wanted to repay the favour so I was volunteering time with them.”

There he met then-politician Eddie Micallef and became his electorate officer.

“That’s how I got into the politics world,” Mr Tarlamis said.

“That opened up a lot of opportunities to provide assistance to community groups.”

He never intended to run for parliament, but “one thing lead to another which lead to another” and he was a South Eastern Metropolitan Region MP from 2010 to 2014.

“That was such an honour as well, when you consider the fact that very few people get to hold that position and represent that large number of people,” he said.

Mr Tarlamis was a Springvale Benevolent Society volunteer from 2002 to 2012, a Noble Park Community Action Forum member for many years, a founding Springvale Multicultural Men’s Shed committee member, and more.

He’s now a senior advisor to Special Minister of State Gavin Jennings.

The world of politics is not where he thought he’d end up.

The Tarlamis family moved from Oakleigh to Keysborough when he was eight months old.

He went to Wallarano Primary School in Noble Park and to Chandler Secondary College, where Keysborough College’s Acacia campus now stands.

Mr Tarlamis went on to study an associate diploma of business.

“I grew up working with dad in the family businesses,” he said.

“I thought it would be logical that I would go into the business world and maybe into management or something like that.

“I really enjoyed the community stuff.

“Politics became that vehicle to do it.”

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STAR JOURNAL 9

SPORT

Bec Cole is avergaing a league-high 32.5 points for the Rangers in NBL1.

Cole is one of Australia's best guards.

Pictures: COURTESY OF UNOFFICIALLY OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHY

They can’t stop her now

By Hayley Wildes There is an absolute superstar of basketball currently plying her trade for the Dandenong Rangers in the NBL1 competition, and it's time to take note.

Bec Cole has long been a guard with speed to burn and a real passion for the game. This season for the Rangers, she has taken her game to a new level and is leaving opposition defences in her wake.

Currently averaging 32.5 points, 5.3 assists, 5.1 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game, while shooting an outrageously efficient 56 per cent from the field and 47 per cent from three-point range, Cole's superstar status is no longer up for debate.

Her 32.5 points per game is leading the league - by a long margin - with Lauren Scherf (25.7 points) second. While 5.3 assists has her fifth in that department, but it is her efficiency that has been the key to her MVP-worthy start to the season.

Shooting 56 per cent has her ranked fifth in the league for field goal percentage and she is taking the most shots in the league, averaging 21.5 attempts per game.

Recently, Cole scored a season-high 40 points, along with 6 rebounds, 5 steals and 3 assists, against Nunawading in another deadly efficient outing. Her 40 points came on 53 per cent shooting from the field (14/26) as the Rangers defeated the Spectres, 86-67, improving to an impressive 9-1 record after seven rounds.

Cole credits her shooting efficiency to hard 14 STAR JOURNAL

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Monday, 27 May, 2019

work and having a great group of team mates who understand each other's games.

"It's been awesome working with these girls and I just love the style of game we play," Cole said.

"Our coach Whitey [John White], he just sort of lets us play the way we individually play and it works as a collective at the end of the day.

"My individual workouts that I've been doing - my shooting work in the off-season, and just the extra sessions - have helped get my percentage where it is."

Last season, before the SEABL competition was re-named NBL1, Cole played for the Melbourne Tigers and was an offensive force, averaging 22.6 points, 5 assists and 3.8 rebounds, while shooting 45.9 per cent from the field and 37.6 per cent from long-range.

With her triples falling much more regularly - she's connecting on double the amount she did last season (2.6 compared to 1.3) - defences have to respect her outside shot and must come out to defend her on the wing, allowing her to drive to the paint if they bite on a shotfake.

Cole has always been known as an aggressive player, someone who can break down an opposition defence with ease and get to the bucket with tremendous strength.

But back in 2011, when she was just 19-years-old playing at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), injury struck Cole in the form of an ACL injury. After working her way back, she once again suffered an ACL injury in May 2015.

Cole looks back on those times as having shaped her career and teaching her valuable lessons.

"There was about four years where I was still in my coming back period where you do question yourself; 'am I ever going to reach that pinnacle?', but you've just got to work hard off the floor, in the gym and also work on yourself mentally, because that's almost half of it," she said.

"Then just surround yourself with a really good support system - my family has been absolutely amazing and it really shows when you come back, if you work hard, anything can happen, you honestly just have to believe."

That belief, resiliency and hard work has seen Cole reap the rewards in 2019. Earlier this year, she finished second in WNBL MVP voting, was named to the Australian Opals squad and helped Australia qualify for the FIBA 3x3 World Cup, which takes place next month.

"Like every athlete, I've been through a lot - whether that be good seasons, bad seasons, injuries or whatever it is - and just knowing you've come out the other end while you've been working your bum off and you get that reward, it's a really good feeling," she said of her Opals call-up.

"It's humbling and I was saying to someone the other day that I am really proud of myself because I have put in all that hard work and I'm not going to stop now - I'm going to keep working harder, because that's the only way we get better."

Having represented Australia at senior level

- she also had an illustrious junior career with the national team - Cole has her sights set on the biggest sporting event in the world.

"I'm definitely striving for the Olympics next year - it's been a goal to make the Olympics since I was 15," she said.

"Any time you get to represent Australia, it's such an honour and a privilege.

"You get goosebumps every time you get your jersey or you get some Australian gear that green and gold is something special and you never forget it."

While she has now solidified her place as one of the best 3x3 players in the world, Cole spoke about how competing in that format of the sport helped her find her way back from injury despair.

"I think, at a time when maybe I didn't really know what was going on, (and was) a bit low on confidence, the first 3x3 Pro Hustle [an NBL-run 3x3 competition] was where I found my confidence and drive again," she said.

"I've always played that way, but I just kind of lost my way a bit, so it definitely brought back my aggressiveness and my confidence.

"Ever since that, I've just been working hard and good things have been coming from that."

Speaking of wearing the green and gold, Cole jetted out to China last week for the FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup. Representing her country is something that she doesn't take for granted and, with a relentless work ethic and love for the game fuelling her success, it's clear Bec Cole will be suiting up in the green and gold for many years to come. dandenong.starcommunity.com.au

SPORT

Rajasthan reigns supreme

By Mick Floyd

Rajasthan claimed the 2019 Sandown Cup in astonishing scenes on Friday night.

We changed his work around a bit this week, so he’s not bored and he loved it - he was jumping around, wanted to play, he was in terrific frame of mind.”

Rajasthan was purchased by South Australian Tim Aloisi, who made the trip from Adelaide to be trackside for the evening.

Picture: COURTESY OF SANDOWN GREYHOUNDS

And while the jubilant ownership group looked set to spend the next few days celebrating their win, Camilleri is looking forward to a quieter time at his Lara kennels.

“I think it’s going to take me a week for it to sink in properly, but I’d really like Deb and the boys to have a bit of a rest,” he said.

The Burras remain unbeaten In the Eastern Football League, Rowville claimed an important win over Montrose on the road on Saturday.

The Hawks jumped out strongly to begin the game and led by 43 points at the main break.

To Montrose’s credit, the home side made a game of it in the second half, but Rowville was always in control and did enough to claim a 22-point win, 12.16 (88) to 9.12 (66).

Taine Barlow and Paul McEwin were best for the Hawks, who now sit fourth in a tight league with a 5-2 record after seven rounds.

Elsewhere, Noble Park took it right up to top-of-the-table Blackburn in an impressive display from the young team. The Panthers led by 21 points at the final break in what was a bruising encounter, and the Bulls made their move in the fourth, but it wasn’t quite enough.

Blackburn recorded the win, 13.15 (93) to 13.3 (81).

Noble Park sits seventh with 3-4 record.

Meanwhile, in Division 2 of the Southern Football League, Keysborough absolutely obliterated Chelsea Heights at home.

The forward line duo of Matthew Carnelley and Chris Bryan (five goals each) created havoc all day, while the likes of Tamas Siposs and Bryce Sutton were impressive in the Burras’ 100-point win, 20.13 (133) to 5.3 (33).

After seven rounds, the Burras have six wins and no losses to their name.

The Doveton Eagles put forth a disappointing display against Murrumbeena. With Murrumbeena leading by one-point at the main break, the second half was set up to be a stirring contest, but the Eagles were no match down the stretch.

Doveton scored just two majors after halftime, while Murrumbeena slammed on 10 goals of its own to claim a comprehensive win, 19.12 (126) to 11.9 (75). Doveton owns a 5-2 record and sits fourth on the ladder.

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“They’ve put a lot of work in and they deserve a bit of a break, and then hopefully we can have a few days off ourselves, that would be great.”

The win improved Rajasthan’s record to 20 wins from 49 starts and took his prize money beyond $235,000.

12417600-RC20-19 1124822-CB12-14

Rajasthan caused one of the greatest upsets in Sandown Cup history when the 30-1 chance led all of the way to win the world’s richest race for stayers on Friday night.

While all eyes were on defending champion Tornado Tears in Box 6, it was Rajasthan in Box 7 which began quickest to cross to the fence and lead through the first turn.

Down the back straight the moves came.

Poco Dorado reduced the margin to less than a length as Peppertide emerged from the chasing pack to also apply pressure.

But Rajasthan continued to respond, and when he was able to hold off one final challenge from the fast finishing Ella Enchanted, the $175,000 first prize was his.

Trainer Robert Camilleri and his partner Debbie Coleman were overcome with emotion after their biggest win of their training careers.

“Mate, words can’t describe it,” Camilleri said.

“Look, the money is great - don’t get me wrong - but to win the most prestigious staying race around with some of the best owners you could have hoped, it’s just an overwhelming feeling all the way really.”

That Rajasthan led came as no surprise to Camilleri.

But it wasn’t until late in the race that he thought he was a winning chance.

“He’s always been a good beginner,“ he said.

“I thought if he jumps the way he can jump he could lead, particularly for the first three quarters of the lap or something.

“But as the race got further and further and they weren’t picking him up I kept thinking, he’s not going to stop today, this bloke, he’s not going to stop!

“He is three different dogs, and tonight he was the right one.

“His eyes were focused, and not wandering.

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STAR JOURNAL 15